In 1996, TTC commissioned 88 (or 91 depnding on source) mk2 SW20 Spiders - these were basically cars that came off the Prodction line (assuming the T-bars with extra strengthening in the chassis) and were modified manually into SW20 Spiders. So, they were in fact factory Spiders.

Reportedly, approx 20 of the 88 were manuals and the rest were auto boxes. One or two were rumoured to be factory turbos (gen3 3S-GTE) and the rest were NA (Gen3 3S-GE). But it seems some were built right up to July 1996 and so, there are some very rare Beams SW20 Spiders out there :)

Of the original 88, 1 is in Ireland (me :) ) and afaik 4 in UK, 1 in the Netherlands, 1 in France and 2 in Germany. The rest reside mostly in Japan (there was an owners club there called the Open Car Army! Open Carm Army site (Japanese) )and hong Kong with a few in the US.

Most of the Spiders came in Lucerne Silver with a blue side moulding (a few came in red, mica orange, white and black that I have seen), standard rev4 wheels and no wing. Aside from expected chassis strengthening, the body panels were mostly standard with the engine lid being custom made for the Spiders.

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The hood was vinyl and had to be manually removed - it could them be folded and fitted in the boot.

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Interior din't receive any special treatment with just blue cloth seats/doorcards.

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Some original pics from mags and the factory production

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And for those that can read Japanese ...

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Original Pricing in Japan

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This next one seems to rate the Spider at 200ps - that would be the Beams motor ... I heard two different stories - one was that they were all made in 1996. The other was that most were made in 1996 but they were made up til 99, meaning there could be a few Beams versions out there. Actually, as I write this article, I've found more sites that say they were built from Feb 1996 til July 99.

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The Spiders being built at the Toyota Technocraft factory

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One of the Japanese guys laughing, thinking to himself "They should have spent a bit more money and made a proper roof" !

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And a few pics of SW20 Spiders which people have modified.

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Clean Toms kitted 2 :)

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3 Spiders together - might give you Aracnaphobia

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The Mica Orange Spider appears to have the Beams lump - so, maybe that proves they were made past 1996

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I normally don't like this kit but I think it might nearly pull it off - wouldn't get that myself though !

Were the spiders made from new cars or were they offered as a conversion, like the way TRD took in cars that people already owned to do the widebody conversion. I'm sure they were all new cars but the only reason i ask is that in the picture there where the workers are working on the car, the rear lights have the black trim faded and it has part blue/ part black side mouldings any ides??!

p.s. good call on spraying the side strips silver on your car, looks much better when you see it compared to a car that still has the blue strips

One question: Are You sure that There are a few in the US?
Because it's difficult (or impossible) to import a RHD car in the US, or am I wrong?
I informed on a US forum about people who own a MR Spider in the US, thay told me there aren't Spiders in the US.
Just like to know where the Spiders are now and how many there are left.

I also know that there are 2 Spiders in Switserland. (one in a Toyota museum)
1 in New Zealand, 1 in Malaysia, 1 in Hong Kong, 1 in Australia.
And still, 1 in the Netherlands, 1 in France, 2 in Germany (for sale)

I know that some states are easier to import than others - Florida being one of them. A guy in Canada has recently imported a Spider. This is also another route which does mae it easier to get into the US.

The reason I said there was "a few" in the US was due to heresay on the US forums. I will try get some firmer numbers on MR Spiders in the US and post up.

Have you any plans for any modifications for yours ? or just enjoying driving it.

Radical Lanzar wrote:That softtop is stupid, pure and simple. When it's hidden like a good boy, the SW20 Spider has lines and curves in all of the right places. I wouldn't mind owning one for some eye candy.